Hi All!

Well, here's a question for everyone to consider - I value everyone's opinion and will help in making hte final decision along with Stephen and the community.

We have two options with regards to build:

1. Raise all the funds required before we build and do the first build in one shot
2. Build as we get the large donations in.

I can see pro's and cons for both courses of action.

1. If we hold off building until we have all funds it means we can just go for the build and not have to worry about other donations coming in to finish the first stage of the project. The downside of this is, if it takes much longer than expected to raise the funds, it will push the build further and further out.

2. By progressing the build as and when funds come in means we can build the school gradually. The downside is that we might start a job, run out of funds whilst we're awaiting furhter donations and have to stop halfway through.

In my own opinion I feel we should go with the first option - it might push build times out, but at least we could be sure of what funds we have behind the project.

Your thoughts? All welcome!

Chrissie :-)

Facilitator C.:

I lack direct knowledge, so would defer to someone, who has more experience in such matters. My gut reaction would be to avoid building until such time as resources available, although this could include secured loans or some other financing other than philanthropy.

Volunteer J.

Hi All!

Seeming as my message writer is down at the mo and I have no way of getting this to anyone any other way, I invite you all to take a very quick Matopeni & Nabuur Survey! All welcome! It's completely anonymous, so be as honest as you can!

http://FreeOnlineSurveys.com/rendersurvey.asp?sid=ebruogzqiic52vf249017

Chrissie :-)

Hi Chrissie,
Re the building, why not do both options?
The advantages are as you have already set out, but another disadvantage of waiting too long is that there is a price hike in materials or building. Prices almost never drop, of course, so it is not worth speculating the other way.

I would say, break the plan into several small builds, (with advice by Geeta on the technicalities of this) and allot a cost to each stage. Some stages may be able to be built concurrently, so once a cost target is reached, building can commence on that stage.

That way, the village remains motivated and can see come progress, some parts of the school may be usable (eg latrines may be a stage, and may be built first).

What are yours and the other neighbours thoughts on this idea?

Cheers
Lynley 8-)

Hi Lynley and Jonathan and all!

I'm really glad I asked for your opinions on this one - good to see it from another perspective or one I hadn't thought about - in your case Lynley! :-D

I'll talk to both Geeta and Ron and see what we can come up with along with the advice of EngineerAid. (who we are still in contact with - it's a bit of a long process guys, but one we will get over!)

Talking of Ron - has anyone seen him recently? I'm missed him over the last week or so! I need a Ron fix! Come in Ron!!!

Chrissie :-)

Now where was I when the brains were handed out. Thank goodness I still have my looks.

Lynley, of course, is spot on. The house in which my parents live has different centuries of construction, starting small and quite simple.

Hospitals and Universities are notorious for amalgam of construction.

I agree with everyone!... If we can build it in parts it is easier.... Cathedrals sometimes take hundreds of years to finish!... :-)

But first we need the land... :-D

Manuel

Dear Gheeta,
Would you kindly tell us how far you have gone with the measurement or the total area needed for our school.I think this will help us workout the cost.
Stephen

Hi Stephen and all!

I spoke to Geeta over the weekend and she has advised me that she should have the measurements within the week. It's my fault for not posting sooner - sorry!

We obviously need these measurements sooner rather than later because EngineerAid are still awaiting to hear from us re: measurements so they can advise on the type of constuction required for our school and also from a cost point of view. We need to work out costs yesterday as we need these figures for funding purposes.

Chrissie :-)

Facilitator C:

Back 16 November, I noted that I had petitioned Google for some copies of SketchUp Pro for members of the Nabuur community.

There has been no acknowledgment of my request. But, maybe, at least, someone took note of the concept.

I see where Google SketchUp is a sponsor of the Open Architecture Network

Hi all,

Well, i'm back (after a fashion!!) - a nasty bout of tonsilitis was enough to keep me away from the pc for the last few days. I'm still building up strength, but am back so to speak. Thanks to Romina for being our star whilst i was away! :-D

Ok, I need to get hold of Geeta again re: measurements - I'm sure she's steeped in christmas festivities as much as we all, so I'm not overly worried that we haven't heard back yet. Come the New Year, we need to step up four or five gears - the guys from EngineerAid are being very patient with us, but I want to give them something concrete soon - I'm sure we all want to move this forward!

Hey Jonathan, like the link! might be worth getting in touch with those guys as well! You're full of goodies :D

Chrissie :-)

Hi all,

Ok, I know this kinda goes back to the 19 Dec, but I've spoken directly with Geeta this afternoon and she has promised me the measurements for the first build of the school later on this evening.

I start back at work tomorrow after an exhausting Christmas and New Year, so won't be able to check email until I get back in tomorrow evening. So, watch this action - hopefully tomorrow I'll have some good news for everyone - or Geeta may have posted herself! Yay!

Chrissie :-)

Hi All! This is a copy of the newsletter I have just sent everyone. Check those inboxes - or those spam filters, they have a habit of collecting there for some reason .... :

Hi All!

Well, this is our very first offical newsletter of 2007 - welcome back all after the traditional festivities!

Now that the turkey and mince pies are all but a distant memory, we all need to make a few New Year resolutions that are not easy to break and it's a lot easier than you think!

We're rolling ahead with the school, but we now have a few tasks that we need to complete to move it forward further so that we can start thinking about the actual building! Below I've put together a set of tasks: take a quick look, there might be one that is right up your street! Each task doesn't take long at all to achieve. Please either email me ( christina_e_wright@yahoo.co.uk ) or post on the actions if you can do one of the tasks outlined:

1. Spend 15 minutes to fire up your search engines online and find examples of budgets templates that we could use in our Business Plan. Post any examples you find on the Business Plan action!

2. Are you someone with a head for figures? Have you ever built a budget before? Email me now if you a few hours over the next few weeks to help build our budget!

3. Spend 15 minutes to fire up your search engines online and find examples of funding proposals we could use to help fill out funding applications or use as a supporting document. Post any examples you find on our Business Plan action!

4. Are you a budding journalist? Why not help us put together a quick email we can sent to existing organisations to find out when their funding rounds are! Doesn't have to be long, just to find out the vital info! Post your drafts on our funding action!

5. Spend five minutes sending out an email to a few organisations and let us know of any responses. Let me know if this appeals as we'll need a team shortly!

If any of the above tasks appeal, please feel free to contact me either through the site or by email: christina_e_wright@yahoo.co.uk and I'll be more than happy to give you some further information or tips on how to complete your mission!

Warm regards,

Chrissie

I love being the bearer of good news! I had an email from Geeta last night with measurements for the school. I've held off posting the actual measurement plans as I'm still awaiting the actual unit of measure used. I've emailed Geeta to provide this info. Once I've received it I'll go ahead and post the measurement plans and we can re-establish contact with EngineerAid imminently!

It looks as if 2007 is going to be good year for the school.

Chrissie :-D

Be blessed and encouraged for the good work you are trying to put up.